Anyone else have tips/comments before I start ripping into the dash?

 

It took a coupla hours of trial and error after halfaxx reading the Heim manual. It works well. Dropped a 7mm socket somewhere in the console and a screw behind the dash - my usual high quality shade tree work!!! The big thing - I can't find the dxxx passenger side window defroster vent!!! It's nowhere in my garage and I don't think I left it under the dash pad somehow.

Where can I get another one. The only way to guarantee I find it is to order another.

 

As opposed to just turning it off?

 

Do you have the GM partnumber for the module you replaced? I've been through two fobs and just lost interest as other projects needed to be remedied, but sounds like my module might need to be done.

 

I won't be home until the middle of next week. I'll post the part # then unless you get it sooner. It was a $319 part, but the clerk gave me a military discount - $275. I paid a dealer for a diag before I read a post on another thread about shorting the diag plug.

You can get to the module by undoing all the dash pad screws behind both side panels, shifter console cover, radio face plate cover, passenger air vent, etc. To remove the pass side air vent use a small screw driver to pop the small vent in the center to access two torx screws and unscrew the three nuts behind the pass air vent. DON'T try to pull the pass side lower dash to get to these. I broke the tabs on it. Lift the dash pad as high as you can without bending it or pulling the front clips out. I pulled the left clip all the way out then used a long screw driver to put it back in its slot to reassemble the dash.

I used a 2" wide board to support the dash pad up while I squeezed my hands under it to unscrew the two screws that hold the air vent (the central outlet tube is directly over the module)to the dash face bracket. They face away from you - I used a 7mm(?) nut driver after loosening them with an open end wrench. Also remove the nut head screw that holds a small bracket on top of the vent tube. It's about 8" directly behind the instrument cluster.

Once you get those screws off you can lift the vent tubing high enough to get to the module. If you remove the DIC and fuel/trip management cluster, you'll be able to see enough of the PKE module to help you see what you're doing. There is a small black box velcroed to the top of the PKE. Just peel it off and shove it out of the way.

The PKE is held in by clips and is fairly easy to pop out/in. Good luck. Oh yeah, have small to average size hands and patience.

I replaced the car's battery at the same time . It would not program right away and I went to bed a bit pxxxxd off. The next morning, either the ECM, PKE or whatever adjusted OR I held the fuel button down LONG enough for the PKE light to come on as in the programming instructions.

Hope my instructions aren't too confusing and help you. I probably did it the hard way and there is someone out there who knows a simpler way.